Carter stood right in the middle of the empty white highway, clutching the pearl. He felt lighter, but not in any way that brought relief. It was as if he’d traded away a sliver of himself just to get this far—just for a shot at the lion’s den.
Jax glanced over. “You alright?” His voice was gentle.
“I’m fine,” Carter answered, but even he heard how flat he sounded. He stared at the Marble Gate up ahead, close enough now to make out the gold filigree on its doors—the story of the Architects’ “Great Ascension” shining in the sunlight. “We’ve got the mask. Let’s see if we can pull off the act.”
The Marble Gate wasn’t just the main entrance to the Capital; it towered over the city like some cathedral built for data instead of gods. Five hundred feet high, pure ivory stone, covered in moving
